Brake-beam



(No Model.)

' P. L. LAMKEY.

' BRAKE BEAM. N0. 558,965. Patented Apr. 28, 1896.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. LAMKEY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PETER H. MURPHY, OF EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS.

BRAKE-BEAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 558,965, dated April 28, 1896. Application filed January 20, 1896. Serial No. 576,182. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. LAMKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Brake-Beams, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingapart of this specification, Wherein- Figure l is a top plan View of my improved brake-beam. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4. 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showinga modified form of web. Fig. 6 is a top plan view showing the corrugations on a curved line and extending to the head.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in brake-beams, and is designed to be made in one piece, including the brake heads, to obviate the loosening of the several parts where the beam is constructed of many different pieces.

The object of this invention is to construct a beam of the character described in such manner that the strain is distributed throughout the beam, the beam itself being simple, compact, and rigid.

With this object in view the invention consists in forming the beam proper substantially I-shaped in cross-section, and in strengthening such part by flanges, or corrugations, or both, at points where the beam is subjected to the greatest strain, so that the beam in ordinary use is practically unbreakable, having a safety factor far exceeding the demand, while its weight is comparatively small.

In the drawings, A indicates the brakeheads, which are of any ordinary or approved construction,said heads being preferably provided with lugs Ct on their upper and lower sides for the attachment of brake safetychains. I prefer to form these lugs on each side of the head, so that the beam may be reversed and used equally well.

B indicates a back flange, O a front flange, and D a web between said flanges, said parts extending from head to head and forming a connection between the heads of substantially I shape in cross-section.

The channels formed by the above parts are interrupted about the middle of the structure by flanges E, which preferably bulge out above and below the front flange in order to give strength to the fulcrum projection F, to which said flanges are connected. This fulcrum projection, as I have termed it, is slotted for the attachment of the brake-lever, as is usual. In addition to the flanges E, which brace said projection F vertically, said projection is braced against lateral movement by flanges or webs G, which taper back to the front flange 0, said flanges G being preferably centrally disposed to. the projection F and the flanges O.

H indicates guide-rods which are secured in openings formed through the flanges B and O and the web D. The purpose of these guiderods is to guide the brake-shoes in their application to the wheels by passing between the wheels and bearing thereagainst should the shoes strike to either side of the tread.

To secure these guide-rods in place, I perforate the material of web D, which is bulged out to form the opening to receive these rods, and insert through said perforation a cotterpin I, which cotter-pin is adapted to pass through an alining perforation in theguiderod. It frequently happens, due to lack of proper adjustment of the beam, such as by improper hanging or from other causes, that one or both of these guide-rods are worn through by contact with the wheel, and of course when in such condition are useless for the purpose for which they were intended. This being true, I prefer to extend said rod somewhat behind the beam and provide the same with an The bulging of the material of web D for the reception of the guide-rods and the flanges additional perforation or perforations, so that should the front end be ground off the rod E practically divides the area of web D into four parts, considering one side of the beam only. In the spaces adjacent to the brakeheads are arranged flanges J, said flanges being preferably diagonally disposed and bracing the neck of the beam at its point of connection with the brake-heads. The spaces on each side of the central web E are formed with corrugations K, which are preferably longitudinally and obliquely disposed in such directions as are best adapted to resist the strain to which the beam is subj ectedthat is, these corrugations are arranged in oblique lines relative to the longitudinal axis of the beam, the corrugations on each side of the middle of the beam being disposed in opposite directions. As shown in the drawings, the flanges J extend from the junction of the front flange and the head in an oblique line back to the back flange some distance away from the head, throwing the line of greatest resistance of said flange as near in line with the strain of the beam at that point as is practicable. The corrugations K are so disposed that a corrugation having one terminus at the junction of the flange E and the back flange will have its other terminus at the front flange adjacent to the head. The other corrugations being parallel will have their termini accordingly, all of said corrugations being so disposed as to be best adapted to meet the resistance of the strain to which the beam is subjected.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my device may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown modified forms which are comprehended within the scope of my invention in which the guiderods are dispensed with, and also the flanges J. In these figures I have shown in one instance raised ribs in lieu of corrugations and in the other the corrugations as being curved instead of straight and extendingto the brakeheads. It is also obvious that, if desired, the brake-heads could be removably mounted on the ends of the beam, instead of being formed integral therewith, without in the least doparting from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- I 1. In a brake-beam, the combination with the brake-heads, of the front and back flanges, a Web connected to said flanges, a fulcrum projection, and flanges extending from the back flange to and over the front flange for strengthening said projection; substantially as described.

2. In a brake-beam, the combination with the brake-heads, of front and back flanges, a web between said flanges, a fulcrum projection, and lateral flanges for bracing said fulcrum projection; substantially as described.

3. In a brake-beam, the combination with the brake-heads, of front and back flanges, a web connected to said flanges, a fulcrum projection, flanges E for bracing said projection vertically, and flanges G for bracing said proj ection laterally; substantially as described.

4. The combination with a brake -beam which is formed with openings, of guide-rods which are fitted in said openings, said guiderods being perforated, an d cotter-pins which pass through said perforations for holding the guide-rods in position on a beam; substantially as described.

5. The combination with the front and back flanges of a brake-beam, a fulcrum proj ection, brake-heads, and a corrugated web between said front and back flanges; substantially as described.

6. In a brake-beam, the combination with the brake-heads, of front and back flanges, a fulcrum projection, flanges for bracing said front and back flanges, and a corrugated web between said front and back flanges; substantially as described.

7. The combination with the brake-heads, of front and back flanges, a fulcrum projection, and aeorrugated web between said front and back flanges, the corrugations of which are obliquely disposed to the longitudinal axis of the beam; substantially as described.

8. In a brake-beam, the combination with the brake-heads, of the front and back flanges, the fulcrum projection, and obliquely-disposed flanges J for bracing said front and back flanges adjacent to the heads; substantially as described.

9. In a brake-beam, the combination with the brake-heads, of the front and back flanges, a fulcrum projection, a corrugated web between said front and back flanges, and flanges J for bracing the neck of the beams adjacent to the heads; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 7th day of January, 1806.

FRANK L. LAMKEY. \Vitnesses:

F. R. CORNWALL, I'IUGH K. WAGNER.

IIO 

